Advertisement

Header Utility Menu

  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Events

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

  • Login

Virginia Business

Mobile Menu

  • Issues
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finances
    • Law
    • Real Estate
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Energy/Green
    • Federal Contracting
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Hotels/Tourism
    • Insurance
    • Ports/Trade
    • Small Business
    • Startups
    • Technology
    • Transportation
  • Regions
    • Central Virginia
    • Eastern Virginia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Roanoke/New River Valley
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia
  • Reports
    • Best Places to Work
    • Business Person of the Year
    • CEO Pay
    • COVID-19
    • Generous Virginians Project
    • Legal Elite
    • Most Influential Virginians
    • Maritime Guide
    • Site Locator
    • The Big Book
    • Virginia CFO Awards
  • Company News
    • For the Record
    • People
  • Opinion
  • Lists
  • Awards/Events
    • 2022 Virginia Business Political Roundtable
    • Women in Leadership
    • Diversity Leadership Series
    • Virginia 500
    • Legal Elite
    • CFO Awards
    • Big Book of Lists
    • 100 People To Meet
    • Best Places To Work
  • Virginia 500
    • Read The Issue
    • Power Up Virginia 500
    • Buy an award plaque
    • Suggest execs for 2023

Advertisement

Header Primary Menu

  • Issues
    • February 2023
    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • Issues Archive
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finances
    • Law
    • Real Estate
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Energy/Green
    • Federal Contracting
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Hotels/Tourism
    • Insurance
    • Ports/Trade
    • Small Business
    • Startups
    • Technology
    • Transportation
  • Regions
    • Central Virginia
    • Eastern Virginia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Roanoke/New River Valley
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia
  • Reports
    • Best Places to Work
    • Business Person of the Year
    • CEO Pay
    • COVID-19
    • Generous Virginians Project
    • Legal Elite
    • Most Influential Virginians
    • Maritime Guide
    • Site Locator
    • The Big Book
    • Virginia CFO Awards
  • Company News
    • For the Record
    • People
  • Opinion
  • Lists
  • Awards/Events
    • 2022 Virginia Business Political Roundtable
    • Women in Leadership
    • Diversity Leadership Series
    • Virginia 500
    • Legal Elite
    • CFO Awards
    • Big Book of Lists
    • 100 People To Meet
    • Best Places To Work
  • Virginia 500
    • Read The Issue
    • Power Up Virginia 500
    • Buy an award plaque
    • Suggest execs for 2023

Home News Regions Richmond casino plan goes to polls

Richmond casino plan goes to polls

Published September 29, 2021 by Kate Andrews

Urban One Inc. CEO Alfred Liggins says Richmond’s proposed ONE Casino + Resort would provide the city much-needed tax revenue. Photo by Rick DeBerry
Urban One Inc. CEO Alfred Liggins says Richmond’s proposed ONE Casino + Resort would provide the city much-needed tax revenue. Photo by Rick DeBerry

Early voting is underway across Virginia, and in Richmond, residents will also decide by Nov. 2 whether Silver Spring, Maryland-based Urban One Inc. can establish its proposed $565 million ONE Casino + Resort in the city.

Urban One CEO Alfred Liggins has high hopes for what could be the nation’s only majority Black-owned casino and resort.

“South Richmond has been waiting for an economic development opportunity of their own,” he says. “Other sections of Richmond have seen tremendous growth in recent years, but that growth has not, to date, included South Richmond. ONE is going to be a catalyst for new jobs, critically needed tax revenue, and additional economic development and opportunities in this part of the city.”

Leonard Sledge, director of the city’s economic development department, notes that the city expects the casino to generate 1,300 direct jobs. It will also make a $25.5 million upfront payment to the city government if the casino referendum passes next month.

“We believe it’s a great opportunity for the city,” Sledge says. Beyond casino jobs, the Maryland media conglomerate plans to build a 15,000-square-foot soundstage adjacent to the resort for film, TV and radio production, with a promise to spend $50 million on productions there. The casino also plans to partner with Virginia Union University and Reynolds Community College for workforce training, Liggins adds.

Brian Anderson, president and CEO of ChamberRVA, says he supports the resort because it would produce well-paid jobs and include space for 15 local bars and restaurants. “This is going to be not chain-driven, not corporate-driven, but local restaurant-driven,” he says. “My gut says that it has a good chance to pass.”

No public polling has been done to gauge support for the casino, although the process has seen some opposition, particularly at earlier stages.

Quinton Robbins, political director for the progressive Richmond For All organization, which opposes the project, lives about two miles from the site and has canvassed area voters. There is “not necessarily a plurality of support,” and there’s also “a lot of anxiety” among voters over the project, he says. “This is another sort of bad deal the city has whipped up.”

Robbins notes that Liggins was quoted in The Washington Post in August as saying that nobody — Liggins included — wants a casino in their backyard. “I think people only want this deal if it’s going to benefit working Richmonders,” Robbins says.  

This article has been corrected.

Subscribe to Virginia Business. Get our daily e-newsletter.

Related Stories

Virginia Business logo

Thalhimer team

Mark Douglas and Eric Robison pull off some of Central Virginia’s biggest deals

Virginia Business logo

U. S. government sues Tonya Mallory, HDL’s former CEO and co-founder

Virginia Business logo

AMPAC expanding Petersburg operation, adding 156 jobs

Pharmaceutical manufacturer plans to invest $25 million

Trending

Norfolk’s MacArthur Center mall listed for sale

Making strides

Danville lacks housing options for workforce

Fort Monroe development moving forward

Manassas company to develop short takeoff, landing aircraft for Air Force

Sponsored Stories

What Logistics issues will have the biggest impact on you in 2023?

In the New Year, Aim for Better Cybersecurity

4 innovative ways to create capacity

WHERE IS THE SUPPLY CHAIN WHEN YOU NEED IT?

P.A.I.N.T. Your Financial Mountain

5 Benefits of Treasury Management Services from Atlantic Union Bank

Blazing trails in the digital landscape

Advertisement

Advertisement

Trending

Norfolk’s MacArthur Center mall listed for sale

Making strides

Danville lacks housing options for workforce

Fort Monroe development moving forward

Manassas company to develop short takeoff, landing aircraft for Air Force

Sponsored Stories

What Logistics issues will have the biggest impact on you in 2023?

In the New Year, Aim for Better Cybersecurity

4 innovative ways to create capacity

WHERE IS THE SUPPLY CHAIN WHEN YOU NEED IT?

P.A.I.N.T. Your Financial Mountain

5 Benefits of Treasury Management Services from Atlantic Union Bank

Blazing trails in the digital landscape

Get Virginia Business directly on your tablet or in your mailbox!

Subscribe to Virginia Business

Advertisement

Advertisement

Footer Primary Menu

  • virginiabusiness.com
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Footer Secondary Menu

  • Industries
  • Regions
  • Reports
  • Company News
  • Events

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Sign Up

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

Privacy Policy Cookie Policy

Footer Utility Menu

Copyright © 2023 Virginia Business. All rights reserved.

Site Maintained by TechArk